Mt.
Everest 2005: Mountain Madness Expedition: The Farther One Goes, The less
one knows.

Update 5/1/2005 (in Nepal):

The Farther One Goes

The less one knows.

-Tao Te Ching

Everest Base Camp 17,600 ft.
An ever changing environment filled with adventure and yet time to heal both
physically and mentally.

Healing comes in various
forms as it did yesterday with a bouldering session in full sun about one hour
from base camp. A combination of Sherpa and Climbers teamed together for an
afternoon of fantastic climbing routes and spirited laughs. (See
photographs). Turns out Sherpas are great at high altitude alpinism as well
as difficulty crafted rock moves. We all returned with hardy smiles and some
great memories.

Our "rest days" following our
decent from Camp 3 have in fact come at a good time at least far as the
weather is concerned. we have changed from sunny and crisp blue skies to snow
wind, accompanied by high winds at higher elevations i.e. 22,000 feet and
above.

Base camp down time is a
combination domestic chores like wash as well as spirited discussions about
life, love, the Ice Fall and Lance Armstong. We tend not dwell on the Ice
Fall much as it something that we move through as quickly as possible.
Love holds high ranking however, we are left with nothing but memories. Life
experiences are shared and laughs are always around the corner. Relection is
one of the gifts of climbing, as you push yourself so hard both physically and
phsycologically new perspective and often a clearer lense to see life. And
Lance, lets just say he is the absolute motivation to make the hill or push
one more hour, hats off to Texas.

The Kitchen staff has
continued to awe all of us as we had fresh cinnamon rolls today being the envy
of Everest Base Camp, our one of a kind "Everest Oven". One can almost forget
physical pain or deprivation with a warm Cinnamon roll and fresh Press
"Himalayan Java". Cheers to the guys in the kitchen, you rock!

We have one more day before
we go to camp three and sleep overnight, Camp three is about 24,000 feet, We
are looking forward to the terrific view and limited oxygen as we push our
team higher toward the top.

Cheers!

Eric Garza-Climber

Everest Base Dispatch

Dispatches

Since 1994, Mountain Madness
has led 29 team members on successful expeditions to Everest's summit.
This year's Everest expedition will approach the mountain from the Normal
Route--ascending through to the South Col from the Khumbu Glacier, and
continuing to the summit via the Southeast ridge.

Millet One
Sport Everest Boot Expedition and mountaineering boot for high altitude
and extremely cold conditions. The Everest has conquered all 14
mountains over 8,000m and also the Seven Summits- and has now had a
makeover to ensure continued peak preformance. With a newer sung, Alpine
Fit, and even lighter Expedition footwear for
mountaineering in conditions of extreme cold. NOTE US
SIZES LISTED. See more here.